Home Repair and Paint Guide

... Carpet cleaning is one of those chores that seems to get delayed long past the time when it should have been done. It’s not much fun and can use up an entire weekend. Furniture has to be moved, pets blocked off from the area, you have to avoid walking on the carpet while still wet, etc. But ignoring the task only causes problems to develop. Stains take a set and are harder to remove. Mold can form under the carpet due to trapped moisture. Odors can become offensive. In order to keep your carpet in good shape, you need to give it a thorough cleaning on a regular basis. Hiring a company to do this is one way to go. Of course, you still have to be there while work is progressing. You need to make sure the job is completed to your satisfaction, and your furniture stays in your house instead of someone else. Most people I have dealt with were completely honest, but there’s always the chance of getting that certain one. You can save money by doing it yourself. The immediate result will be a carpet that looks brighter and smells fresh. The long term benefit is a floor that lasts longer and looks good over time. You can rent machines at most home improvement centers and some large grocery stores for the job. These make it much easier to do the work. Start by thoroughly vacuuming the entire carpet. Then spot clean the stained and heavy traffic areas. Spray these areas with a carpet spot or pretreatment cleaner ...